In Laudibus
Hymn to St, Ambrose
At Lauds
1.
For Ambrose, star of gold
Illuminating the circuit of the world,
Pour light upon our souls
With holy prayers.
2.
You brandishing the spear of words
As you scatter the river of Arius.
You put to flight the darkness of errors,
So that the pure truth is heard.
3.
The sound of dreadful horns,
You brandish even portents:
You restore to life Pansophium (the wisdom of all).
Whom the mother of death bewails.
4.
The command of your voice
Begins to fear the demon throng.
The most wicked spirits weep
The law of hospitality having been released.
5.
By what strength of merit you beat down (your opponents)
they who strive earnestly endure storms;
Those who injure you or pull you down.
Perish by the avenging God.
6.
Let there be praise to the unborn father…
Ambrose of Milan ( c. 339 – 4 April 397), venerated as Saint Ambrose, was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. He expressed himself prominently as a public figure, fiercely promoting Roman Christianity against Arianism and paganism. His preachings, his actions and his literary works, in addition to his innovative musical hymnography, made him one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century.
Ambrose was serving as the Roman governor of Aemilia-Liguria in Milan when he was unexpectedly made Bishop of Milan in 374 by popular acclamation.